Two Bills Drive

‘Trips to Buffalo haven’t been easy on the Steelers, but this one figures to be easier than most. The weather should be passable and the opponent – minus Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed, Bruce Smith and the rest of those Super Bowl Bills that used to give the Steelers fits at Ralph Wilson Stadium – should be much more forgiving. Although road games are never a "gimmie," this is one road game a playoff team ought to be able to win.’

‘Analysts considered Casey Hampton to be something of a "reach" when he was drafted 19th in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers last April.’

‘The Bills’ most critical injury, however, may have been the torn Achilles tendon suffered by middle linebacker Sam Cowart in the opener. Cowart, who made the Pro Bowl after making 181 tackles in only 12 games last season, was expected to be the lynchpin for Williams’ new 4-3 defense. He was replaced last week by rookie Brandon Spoon on running downs and by Kenyatta Wright on passing downs. Spoon was injured in the game and will join Cowart on the sidelines today. "I’m not crying that he’s not playing," said Steelers running back Jerome Bettis. "I never wish injury on a player. I just hope he recovers 100 percent from it. But he’s one of those guys where you kind of give a sigh of relief when you hear he’s not playing."’

Buffalo’s defense couldn’t have played much worse than it did during the first two games. The Bills will have to improve in that area without their best defensive player. Buffalo takes on the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ralph Wilson Stadium in a matchup of winless teams.

‘It’s no wonder Donahoe was less candid discussing payback against the Steelers. "We have our issues we’re trying to address. That’s where our concentration is," Donahoe said. "But as far as me being a factor in the game, I’m not a factor." But in some ways he is.As the first executive to hold the title of president in franchise history, Donahoe is front and centre in overseeing a new Bills era. Since taking over in January following John Butler’s dismissal, Donahoe has brought in a new coaching staff, headed by rookie Gregg Williams, defused a quarterback controversy by releasing Doug Flutie in favour of Rob Johnson, and is attempting to rebuild the Bills from scratch.’

‘The Bills today announced offensive tackle Jon Carman has been signed to the 53-man roster.’

‘"If he gets a little excited, he’ll get out of the pocket and scramble on you and hurt you that way," said Smith. "You do get a little excited when he holds the ball, but you have to be conscious of getting overaggressive and he takes it up the field and the defensive backs are running downfield and he’s getting a big gain on you. You can’t let him sit there and pick you apart. If you get some pressure and get in his face and disrupt his throws, you can get some interceptions and knockdowns."’

‘For Donahoe, who started in the Steelers’ organization in the 1960s as the team’s ball boy, this game has to conjure bittersweet feelings. Donahoe’s tenure with the Steelers ended in January 2000 when it was determined that his relationship with Cowher had deteriorated to a point that owners Dan and Art Rooney II felt they had to decide which one must go.’

‘If Fina and Jennings can’t go or are limited, rookie Marques Sullivan, who has been working at right tackle, will see time at tackle.’

‘If the Buffalo Bills continue to flounder, Buffalo television viewers will be suffering through more than just the losses. They also will suffer through some games in which CBS doesn’t appear to be trying its hardest to provide quality telecasts. During the Indianapolis Colts’ 42-26 demolition of the Bills on Sunday, CBS didn’t use the technology that helps viewers see where teams have to go to make first downs. In the Bills’ opener two weeks earlier against the Saints, Fox also didn’t use the technology.’

‘Fans heading to the Bills game Sunday on the westbound New York State Thruway are being asked to consider alternate routes to the stadium, Erie County Sheriff Patrick M. Gallivan announced Friday.’

‘The education of Marvell Smith in advanced offensive tackle play took additional steps the past three weeks. Russ Grimm, his coach, did everything but paint the proper foot placements on the practice field for Smith.’

‘The 40,000-square-foot hall contains a food court, lockers used by Steelers Hall of Fame players, and jerseys and other artifacts from both Steelers and Pitt football history. It also has banners, murals and 20-foot-high reproductions of the Steelers’ four Super Bowl trophies.’

‘The Buffalo Bills are advising their many Canadian fans to arrive on this side of the border tonight if they plan to attend the game tomorrow because of the long delays at border crossings.’

‘Opposing Bailey will be John Fina, a 10-year veteran, a former No. 1 pick and a player with 120 NFL starts on his resume. "If you look at it from a fan’s standpoint, which I was just a year ago, yeah, you’re thinking … ‘That’s Tony Boselli,’ " Bailey said of his debut. "Once you start playing, you don’t think about that at all, you’ve got to play ball. I’m a defensive end, and he’s an offensive lineman. That’s as far as it goes."’